Helical hydro-CT for diagnosis and staging of gastric carcinoma.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this work was to define the accuracy of helical hydro-CT (HHCT) in the diagnosis and staging of gastric carcinoma.

METHOD: One hundred twelve patients with gastric carcinoma were preoperatively imaged by HHCT. Gastric distension was achieved by ingestion of up to 1,500 ml of water. Bolus tracking was performed, and peristalsis was minimized by intravenously administered spasmolytics. Contrast material was then injected, and helical scanning was performed at the time of peak enhancement of the liver. CT images were analyzed for tumor infiltration of the gastric wall, and TNM staging criteria were applied according to the International Union Against Cancer (UICC) classification. The results were correlated with histopathologic findings.

RESULTS: One hundred two of 115 (89%) gastric carcinomas were correctly diagnosed by HHCT. Small malignant ulcers (< or =2 cm) that corresponded to early gastric carcinoma were not visible on CT scans. T and N staging accuracies were 51% each; abdominal M staging was correct in 79% of all cases. The positive and negative predictive values of HHCT to foresee curative resection of gastric carcinoma were 75 and 84%, respectively.

CONCLUSION: Mural thickening as well as marked contrast enhancement of the gastric wall are firmly related to gastric carcinoma. The accuracy of HHCT is acceptable for M staging but inadequate for local staging of gastric carcinoma. Nonetheless, HHCT is a useful guide for choosing between tumor resection and nonoperative treatment of patients. We therefore recommend HHCT as the method of choice for preoperative imaging of gastric carcinoma.